Ok, thoughts on an aftermarket trans cooler?

OK, one of the forums I was on always encouraged adding a trans cooler; even if the truck was equipped with a factory cooler. Their explanation was the factory setup is inadequate. It didn't matter if the OP was having wiper issues, an aftermarket trans cooler would fix that too...

I have been watching my trans temps just to see what I get too, and even loaded heavy (trailer pushing 10k pounds); the most I have seen to date is about 180*F. Most of the time it runs about 140* to 150* when just driving around. None of these temperatures seem high to me? I want to remember the trans warning light is preset at 235*F?

So my question is this, if the trans isn't running hot; why would you need to add another cooler?

To an extent I agree with that other site if its to cold your trans will sometimes act funny by not shifting or shifting to early so I believe you could over cool a trans in very cold weather.
A perfect trans cooling system would be a secondary cooler that opened at a preset temp and was only open as long as the temp remained above that temp then closed when temps cooled.
By adding an aux trans cooler youll never know if you kept temps down youll just have to assume its doing its job sometimes its better to not know what wouldve or couldve happened.

Seriously:
Your daily use may run cool. Then one day let's say you decide to tow/haul something at or near your max capacity ... and you are doing it in the mountains. You won't be seeing your usual tranny temps on THAT day ... and you may even get to see your tranny temp warning light depending on the load you have, the grade you're on, and the duration for which you're on it. THAT is the day where the cooler is invaluable.

For those whose trucks are glorified grocery getters, an additional or upsized cooler is probably irrelevant unless they are running for long periods in the Arizona heat or something. But for those who use their trucks to tow/haul, an additional or upsized cooler MAY make sense ... based on a combination of load and terrain, of course.

@tbplus10, umm, I believe the cold weather bypass exists to prevent the kind of weirdness you mentioned in cold weather. Are you suggesting the trans acts funny even with a cold weather bypass in place? (It doesn't get stupidly cold, here, so I wouldn't know.)

Ahh, in your original post you didn't mention that the 180* was at max load. Given this, I wouldn't sweat it. People doing it in 100 degree weather across the steeper grades of the rockies may have a different experience and, thus, a different need, than someone in the cooler climate and gentler grades of the appalachians.

Seriously:
Your daily use may run cool. Then one day let's say you decide to tow/haul something at or near your max capacity ... and you are doing it in the mountains. You won't be seeing your usual tranny temps on THAT day ... and you may even get to see your tranny temp warning light depending on the load you have, the grade you're on, and the duration for which you're on it. THAT is the day where the cooler is invaluable.

For those whose trucks are glorified grocery getters, an additional or upsized cooler is probably irrelevant unless they are running for long periods in the Arizona heat or something. But for those who use their trucks to tow/haul, an additional or upsized cooler MAY make sense ... based on a combination of load and terrain, of course.

@tbplus10, umm, I believe the cold weather bypass exists to prevent the kind of weirdness you mentioned in cold weather. Are you suggesting the trans acts funny even with a cold weather bypass in place? (It doesn't get stupidly cold, here, so I wouldn't know.)

Click to expand...

Yep even with the bypass in cold weather (below 0 deg) if the trans had been cold soaked like maybe setting over night they act a little funny until temps get warmed up. And as you know external temps will affect how long the warm up takes. I dont have the problem down here in Texas either but I have had the chance to experience it on a few buis. trips to cold climates last winter.

Yep even with the bypass in cold weather (below 0 deg) if the trans had been cold soaked like maybe setting over night they act a little funny until temps get warmed up. And as you know external temps will affect how long the warm up takes. I dont have the problem down here in Texas either but I have had the chance to experience it on a few buis. trips to cold climates last winter.

Click to expand...

the acting funny when very cold like 6 deg f is when I first saw the synthetic fluid performance compared to the dexron III in my 2000 SILVERADO during the winter of 2001-02 .

synthetic works great when the very cold weather hits. faster engagement and less slipping [acting funny].......